Paipa-Iza volcanic complex

The Paipa–Iza volcanic complex is a volcanic field of Late Pliocene to Early Pleistocene age on the Altiplano Cundiboyacense in the Eastern Ranges of the Colombian Andes. It is the northernmost volcanic complex of the Andean Volcanic Belt with Fueguino in Tierra del Fuego, Chile, at the opposite end of the Andean mountain belt.

Paipa–Iza volcanic complex
View of Iza volcano from the east
Highest point
Elevation	2,500–2,770 m (8,200–9,090 ft)
Parent peak	Altiplano Cundiboyacense
Coordinates	5°36′25.7″N 72°59′40.4″W
Naming
Native name	Complejo volcánico de Paipa–Iza (Spanish)
English translation	"cacique Paipa & place of healing"
Geography
Paipa–Iza volcanic complex Location in Colombia
Location	Paipa & Iza, Boyacá, Colombia
Parent range	Eastern Ranges, Andes
Geology
Rock age	Plio-Pleistocene
Mountain type	Volcanic field
Rock type(s)	Porphyritic plagioclase and sanidine-rich rhyolites
Volcanic belt	Andean Volcanic Belt  Northern Volcanic Zone
Last eruption	Early Pleistocene
Climbing
First ascent	Precolumbian
Easiest route	Drive to Paipa or Iza
Access	Partially restricted (quarries) Thermal baths touristic attraction

The complex, comprising mainly felsic extrusive volcanic rocks as rhyolites, also is the only confirmed volcanic province in the Eastern Ranges, with traces of probably contemporaneous explosive volcanic activity in the vicinity of Guatavita, Cundinamarca.

The Paipa-Iza volcanic field is important as a touristic site with thermal baths in both Paipa and Iza and is being studied for the potential of geothermal energy production and for the extraction of uranium in the area.

Etymology

The names Paipa and Iza originate in Muysccubun, the language of the indigenous Muisca, who inhabited the Altiplano Cundiboyacense before the Spanish conquest. Paipa was the name of a cacique who served under cacique Tundama of Duitama and Iza means "place of healing".^[1]

Geography

Paipa

Iza

Paipa and Iza on the Altiplano Cundiboyacense

The Paipa–Iza volcanic complex is located in the northern part of the Altiplano Cundiboyacense at altitudes between 2,500 and 2,770 metres (8,200 and 9,090 ft). The northwestern part of the complex is situated in the municipality Paipa and the southeastern part in Iza, both belonging to the department of Boyacá.

Climate

Paipa - 2525 m
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D     29     21 7     44     22 8     65     22 8     123     21 10     124     20 10     61     19 9     46     19 8     50     20 8     68     20 8     151     20 9     99     20 9     51     21 8 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C █ Precipitation totals in mm Source: Climate-data.org - Paipa
Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D     1.1     70 45     1.7     71 47     2.6     71 47     4.8     69 49     4.9     68 49     2.4     67 48     1.8     67 46     2     67 46     2.7     68 47     5.9     67 48     3.9     69 48     2     69 46 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F █ Precipitation totals in inches

Paipa–Iza volcanic complex

Rhyolite from Holcim dome, Iza

The complex was active from the late Pliocene, around 2.7 Ma, until the earliest Pleistocene, around 2.3 Ma.^[2][3][4][5]

The complex at Iza consists of two domes; Domo Holcim with 0.67 square kilometres (7,200,000 sq ft) and Domo Los Sauces 0.12 square kilometres (30 acres) in size. They consist of porphyritic rhyolites with sanidine and plagioclase as dominant mineral groups and abundant xenoliths of sedimentary rock and in minor quantities volcanic or metamorphic fragments. The overall rock composition is very felsic and comprises biotites and amphiboles as opaque minerals.^[6]

Geothermal energy

The complex is studied for the potential of geothermal energy production.^[7][8][9]

Resources

The complex is studied for the potential of uranium mining.^[10][11]

Regional geology

Main articles: Altiplano Cundiboyacense § Geology, and Ocetá Páramo § Geology

See also: Eastern Hills, Bogotá § Geology

See also

• List of volcanoes in Colombia
• Altiplano Cundiboyacense
  • Bogotá savanna